Dumb question... please be kind.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: West Hills, CA
2002C32AMG
Dumb question... please be kind.
Instead of lowering the car, why not move up in wheel size without changing tire size? Example: from 225,45,17s to 225,45,18s?
The effect, at least visually,will be a fuller wheel well- just like having the car lowered. I'm assuming that the speedo calibrations and alignment issues would not be too complicated.
Or maybe they are? Also would the ride quality (of the bigger wheels) be at least the same as the original (stock) wheel/tire setup? Has anybody done this? After you're done laughing, could anyone tell me why not do this?
Thanks in advance.
The effect, at least visually,will be a fuller wheel well- just like having the car lowered. I'm assuming that the speedo calibrations and alignment issues would not be too complicated.
Or maybe they are? Also would the ride quality (of the bigger wheels) be at least the same as the original (stock) wheel/tire setup? Has anybody done this? After you're done laughing, could anyone tell me why not do this?
Thanks in advance.
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
altering tyhe overall diameter will effect other system like the speedo and ABS brakes not to mention the possiblity of the tires rubbing.... that's the short answer
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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As the wheel gets bigger the sidewall gets smaller and the perceived gap between the tire and wheel arch looks bigger. The "change" is purely an optical illusion. But most people buying larger wheels are going for a "look".( And not the Rubicon Trail look, either.) Go to the Tirerack.com site and play around with thier graphic that shows this phenomenon quite nicely.
Tire rack lowering graphic.
Hope this helps.
Tire rack lowering graphic.
Hope this helps.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 740
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From: Charlotte, NC
No longer car shopping...
Doesn't lowering also
Doesn't lowering also make a rough riding car ride even rougher? Remove what little spring suspension there is in these cars and you can also bottom out. I agree that a lowered car looks good but I don't know that I'm willing to set aside what little shock absorption that's already there.
